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Home » Blog » Mental health is a critical business asset, so what happens when there are C-suite burnouts?
Health

Mental health is a critical business asset, so what happens when there are C-suite burnouts?

Omar Al Nuaimi
Omar Al Nuaimi
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As CEO of a boutique mental health clinic working predominantly with business leaders and people of wealth‭, ‬I have repeatedly witnessed how relentless decision-making‭, ‬high-stakes responsibilities‭, ‬and gruelling 70+‭ ‬hour weeks push people to breaking point‭.‬

‭ ‬At our clinic‭, ‬Paracelsus Recovery‭, ‬we have seen a 700‭ ‬per cent rise in C-suite referrals over the past 12‭ ‬months‭, ‬with exhaustion and dangerously high stress levels as the primary concerns‭. ‬Many of these leaders exhibit traits‭, ‬such as perfectionism and relentless ambition‭, ‬qualities that propel them to the top but also make them more vulnerable to mental health conditions‭.‬ ‭ ‬

That constant stress depletes our brains of vital neurochemicals we need for a sense of happiness‭, ‬confidence‭, ‬and energy‭. ‬As a‭ ‬result‭, ‬it sows the seeds for mental health conditions‭, ‬such as anxiety or depression‭. ‬Then‭, ‬in an attempt to manage the symptoms countless C-suite executives find themselves‭ ‬—‭ ‬through no fault of their own‭ ‬—‭‭ ‬relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms that provide either dopamine‭ ‬‘spikes’‭ ‬that deplete reserves in the long run or‭ ‬“downers”‭, ‬such as sleeping pills‭. ‬These challenges‭, ‬if left unchecked‭, ‬can severely impact an executive’s ability to make decisions‭, ‬innovate‭, ‬and lead effectively‭. ‬

Firstly‭, ‬the idea that leaders must be superhuman is a dangerous myth‭. ‬For example‭, ‬when a CEO takes a leave of absence due to mental health issues‭, ‬it typically sends shockwaves through a company‭, ‬affecting investor confidence and employee morale‭. ‬This creates a vicious cycle‭ —‭ ‬leaders feel they must power through exhaustion to maintain stability‭, ‬yet by doing so‭, ‬they risk making‭ ‬impaired decisions that can destabilise their organisations‭. ‬However‭, ‬it cannot be emphasised enough that the global landscape is more volatile than ever‭, ‬and the demands on executives are intensifying‭. ‬

The ability to navigate uncertainty‭, ‬manage crises‭, ‬and maintain high performance requires a level of mental resilience that cannot be achieved through sheer willpower alone‭. ‬Seeking help when you are in distress is not a weakness‭; ‬it is a strategic decision that safeguards both personal well-being and business success‭. ‬I’ve long made the point that executive mental health should be part of a corporation’s risk management framework‭. ‬

Secondly‭, ‬executive mental well-being is not just a personal concern but a business necessity‭. ‬Unchecked stress at the top leads‭ ‬to poor decision-making‭, ‬reduced productivity‭, ‬and economic losses‭ ‬—‭ ‬potentially costing Middle Eastern businesses up to‭ $‬100‭ billion‭ (‬Dh367‭ ‬billion‭) ‬annually‭. ‬A report‭ by PwC Middle East highlights that untreated mental health issues in GCC countries result in at least 37.5‭ ‬million lost productive days each year‭, ‬amounting to‭ $‬3.5‭ ‬billion in economic losses‭. ‬

However‭,  ‬this likely understates the full impact‭, ‬especially at the executive level‭, ‬where the hidden costs of poor mental health‭ ‬—‭ ‬such as impaired decision-making‭, ‬reduced innovation‭, ‬and excessive risk-taking‭ ‬—‭ ‬can ripple throughout an organisation‭. ‬In reality‭, ‬the‭  ‬cumulative effect on leadership effectiveness‭, ‬productivity‭, ‬and overall organisational success could easily amount to many times that figure‭, ‬making estimates closer to‭ $‬100‭ ‬billion far from unreasonable‭. ‬

While there is progress in mental health awareness across the GCC‭, ‬executives must take the lead in dismantling the stigma and safeguarding their own health‭. ‬Leaders who are open about their struggles set a precedent for their‭ ‬employees‭, ‬creating a culture where mental health is not just acknowledged but actively supported‭. ‬For instance‭, ‬research shows that when businesses prioritise mental health‭ ‬—‭ ‬both at the leadership and employee levels‭ ‬—‭ ‬they create an environment of psychological safety‭, ‬which has been linked to a 50‭ ‬per cent increase in productivity‭. ‬It is as much an economic‭, ‬as it is an ethical‭, ‬imperative that executive teams begin fostering cultures where mental health is prioritised rather than stigmatised‭. ‬

Ultimately‭, ‬the most successful companies are those that recognise mental health as a critical business asset‭. ‬I strongly believe that it is time to move beyond the outdated notion that CEOs must suffer in silence‭. ‬Instead‭, ‬organisations must champion a culture where mental well-being is as much a priority as financial performance‭. ‬Because‭, ‬if nothing else‭, ‬a mentally healthy leader is not just a personal victory‭ ‬—‭ ‬it is a strategic advantage‭ ‬that drives business growth‭, ‬innovation‭, ‬and resilience‭.‬

Jan Gerber‭ is the ‬Founder and CEO‭ of ‬Paracelsus Recovery

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